Top Ten One-Hit Wonders of All Time

Every band dreams of being the next big band. However, for some it's only a faint glisten of joy - these wonderous musicians who leave a single impression are more commonly known as the One Hit Wonders. No matter what decade, each one has distinct hits that just leave the bands unable to score another great one. However, these songs left a lasting impression that to this day stands out. These are songs people have come to remember and love, as well as leave them wondering, "whatever happened to...?" Below is a list based on public poll of what people felt were the top ten one-hit wonders ever.

10. Sir Mix-a-lot - Baby Got Back

For those who weren't lucky enough to be blessed with hearing this song, let me tell you a little about it. It's all about the infamous (or is it famous?) ghetto booty. For those unfamiliar with the term booty, I'm referring to the backside. Anyway, the song begins with two valley girl-like voices (Oh, my god. Becky, look at her butt.) talking about another girl. The two talk briefly about her having to be a rap guy's girlfriend and they are repulsed by the supposed mammoth size of her buttocks. However, from there Sir Mix-a-lot takes over and praises these over-sized backsides. In it he gives females a little esteem, stating that silicone parts are made for toys in reference to the female breast.

The song was moreso amusing than anything to be taken seriously, however, it has had such a following that even to this day, people cheer when they hear the song and dance proudly while singing along. Don't believe me? I've seen it and trust me, it's a mixture of scary and amusing. However, be advised, this song does has some profanity in it and shouldn't be played or repeated to younger children.

9. Big Country - In A Big Country

When one hears the title and band name, the first thing comes to mind in regards to this song: bagpipes. The 80's were infamous for having one hit wonders and not many were as unique as hearing a more folk-sounding instrument in what was otherwise considered pop music.

Regardless of the bagpipes, the lyrics are nice, appropriate for any age as there aren't any profane words. The song, itself, appears to be a love story when read out, perhaps even starting out its origins in poetic form. However, a sampling of the lyrics gives away what kind of song it is, exactly, as well as meaning summed up in the chorus (in my eyes, anyway). "And in a big country, dreams stay with you, Like a lover's voice, far as the mountainside.. Stay alive.." A very emotional song when read into and one of the most memorable songs of the 1980's.

8. Soft Cell - Tainted Love

Even to this day, Tainted Love is extremely popular, being sampled in various songs and even being remade by shock rocker Marilyn Manson. What IS Tainted Love? Well, by just reading the title, many people can already hear that popular back beat that seemed somewhat electronica-meets-pop, repeating itself in a very addicting (or annoying, depends on the perspective) loop. However, one excellent bit about this song is it's easy to memorize.

As the song title explains, the song is about tainted love. The twist is it isn't depressing like one would think. Perhaps one of the reasons it was so well liked when it came out. It was so popular that it was one of the songs sang by Dan Akroyd in the movie Coneheads. While the introduction is well known (Sometimes I feel I've got to run away I've got to get away from the pain you drive into the heart of me) other lyrics as you progress into the song include the following: "And you think love is to pray But I'm sorry I don't pray that way"

The song is, above all else, fun and easy to dance to if you ever encounter a reason you have to dance to it.

7. Kevin Rowland and Dexys Midnight Runners - Come On Eileen

Most people just consider Come on Eileen to be Dexys Midnight Runners, however, it is proper to incorporate Kevin Rowland into that because he was a main part of the song. What is most memorable, personally, in regards to this specific song is the whole line "Go Toora Loora Toora Loo-Rye-Aye" which sounds a lot like an old style british sounding song. However, that's not why everyone polled felt this song was worthy of the seventh spot.

Some even recall the video with the scruffy looking boys in overalls dancing on a pretty dirty city street. While not overly long, the song has not a bit of profanity in it and is extremely easy to sing along to as well as memorize. However, the song is extremely pop and one of the best parts of Come On Eileen is where it tends to speed up a bit and then immediately slow down. If you haven't heard it you should definitely give Come On Eileen a listen. It'll have you singing along in no time.

6. Chumbawumba - Tubthumping

If drinkers ever needed a one-hit wonder anthem, tubthumping was probably it and still is for some of those more pub-ish like drinkers. Why? This song is, in my eyes, the perfect drinking tune. It not only mentions in slight profanity (depending where you are, that is, in regards to the word pissing) in regards to bodily functions that happen as a result of drinking, but it also describes four very popular drinks: whiskey, vodka, cider and lager.

The song, itself, is mainly sung by a male voice and is perfect for dancing. However, as the song approaches the ever famous chorus of "I get knocked down but I get up again.." a woman sings a sample of a very well known Irish song: Oh Danny Boy, but it isn't exactly like the original song. Her voice almost reminds this person of a beansidhe in many ways, the smooth, alluring wail. Then again, maybe I'm just strange. At any rate, the song isn't at all slow and almost appears to be a full, hardcore celebration to drinking.

5. Nena - 99 Red Balloons

When I first heard 99 Red Balloons, I was amazed. It was not only very child-friendly in sound, but it was also partially in german (instead of them singing 99 Red ballons it was 99 Luftballoons) which at that time was a very novel concept. Not only that, it sounded so innocent that I didn't even care to catch onto the lyrics. However, soon enough I did and I even got a little giggle. What, specifically, is the song about? That's something that was open for debate between some of the people I polled. Some feel it's just a post war-like song, others feel it actually has to do with the fear and/or fall of communism.

Lyricwise, the song mentions everyone being a Silverhero and a Captain Kirk, as well as having 99 dreams and a red balloon in each one. However, personally, the song appeals to me as people mistaking innocent balloons in the sky for reasons to panic, worry and prepare to defend. Perhaps the true meaning is not ever to be known, or perhaps it's up to the writer to explain. The chorus is the most popular part of the song, definitely which goes, "99 Red balloons floating in the summer sky Panic Bells, It's Red Alert, there's something here from somewhere else". The song is so memorable and easy to get stuck in your head, obviously one of the better One-hit wonders we've had recently.

4. Aqua - Barbie Girl

Barbie Girl, is easily summed up in one popular phrase: Bubblegum Pop. This song had it all, the catchy beat, too memorable lyrics and of course, an annoying vocalist. Yes, that was what everyone remembered most fondly about Aqua: the voice.

Back when Barbie Girl was popular, I recall hearing that Aqua denied it was about the Barbie Dolls by Mattel. However, the song was rather like a toy, since the barbie girl in a barbie world was "Life in plastic, it's fantastic!" as well as being able to undress the doll and brush her hair - which was what Barbie Fashion Dolls were all about. There were a lot of similarities to the song and the dolls, even with Barbie yelling out at the end, "Oh I love you Ken!" Even more memorable (or annoying, depending on perspective) was the music video which was bright, annoying and reeking of even more barbie references. However, the song was still popular - perhaps too in as much as nobody wanted to hear from Aqua much again after being subjected to a "toy nightmare". However, give it a listen for yourself and you be the judge. Perhaps you can figure out why it was a one-hit wonder for Aqua.

3. Los Del Rio - Macarena

Question for you readers. What song was easy to dance to, hard to sing along with and is still danced religiously at weddings and proms everywhere? No, not the Electric Slide. The Macarena. Back in 1996, The Macarena took the world by storm and several different versions of the song were released, including an english version by the Bayside Boys. What was so popular about this song? Who rightfully knows. Depending on who you talk to, it's an awesome, fun song or it's an incredibly terrible song - even being considered one of the worst one hit wonders ever.

Without going into the lyrics and confusing myself, what reigned most popular about this version of the song is the dance. As soon as someone says The Macarena you suddenly envision the arm movements as well as the hip shake that comes right before repeating the arm motions. Perhaps the world was just not ready for another big dance hit like the Macarena, making Los Del Rio one of the most annoying and admired One-Hit wonders ever.

2. Vanilla Ice - Ice Ice Baby

Even though Vanilla Ice is still making people grimace with his outlandish behavior a la celebreality shows, it is kind of surprising that Ice Ice Baby was considered a one hit wonder by poll. However, it was and so it placed in second on this list. Ice Ice Baby was off of To The Extreme, which was Vanilla Ice's second album. It was, of course, the most popular song on that album, ultimately becoming the most famously known song of his.

What made this song so well liked and unable to be matched? Perhaps it was because Vanilla Ice was treading into land that had only been really approached by few white men back then: rap. Ice Ice Baby was officially listed as the second rap song ever to be in the Billboard's Hot 100. The song also had a sampling beat of a song called Under Pressure, a song written and released by David Bowie and Queen in the early 1980's. However, the song was light in lyrics compared to what others felt rap was. In fact, Ice Ice Baby was like a watered down version of some gangster rap that I've heard. One of the interesting aspects of this poll was how many people recalled the line "A1A Beachfront Avenue" but what else others mentioned in regards to Ice Ice Baby was how conceited he made himself out to be in the song. Whatever the case may be, Ice Ice Baby was extremely popular and deserves a high spot on this top ten list.

1. A-ha - Take On Me

In 1985, the Norweigan band A-ha put out Hunting High and Low, their first album. Shortly after, Take On Me was released as a single and rode its way to the top. Perhaps not so much due to lyrics, but moreso in respect to the unique touch the music video had that others were lacking: rotoscoping. Rotoscoping, in short is taking actual pictures and tracing over them to create a life-like animated version. The song has this where the live action woman in the video is facing a glass or mirror of the guy who is animated. As it spins around, he suddenly is the real one and she the animation.

Lyric-wise, the song was kind of dull, perhaps a reason why the band never achieved another hit. To get an idea of this, the first whole verse goes, "We're Talking Away I don't know what I'm to say I'll say it anyway Today's another day to find you shying away I'll be coming for your love, OK?" The song is, above all else, short in lyrics, but has a very memorable and catchy beat. In fact, the song and video were so popular that many bands performed covers of Take On Me and still do perform excellent covers. However, even though Take On Me was a hit in over 30 countries, A-ha just couldn't recapture the wow that Take On Me had.

No matter what genre a one hit wonder is, these songs are often respected, remembered and even ridiculed. Some people mock the band talent in regards to only achieving one hit, but then again, it's one more hit than the common Joe on the street. This list may change in time as more and more musicians become a dreaded one-hit wonder, but for those who haven't heard all of these songs, give them a chance. Maybe you'll see what made them specifically a one hit wonder.